Problems playing files from a camera or portable device on Xbox 360

Overview

You attach a camera or other portable media device to your Xbox 360 console, but you can’t play the content or access the files on the device.

This issue can occur if either of the following is true:

The Xbox 360 console doesn’t recognize the attached device. For example, the storage device on the camera or portable media device wasn’t formatted using the FAT32 file system.

The file format of the content on the camera or portable media device is not compatible with Xbox 360.

Solutions

To resolve this issue, try the following solutions. If one solution doesn’t resolve the issue, try the next solution.

Solution 1: Verify that you can play the content on the device itself

Verify that the music, video, or pictures can play correctly on the camera or other portable media device.

Solution 2: Download updates

Certain devices, such as Zune players, are only supported by Xbox 360 after you install an update for the device. To resolve this issue, sign in to your Xbox Live profile, and then install any updates that you’re prompted to install.

Note If you’re using an Apple iPod, see the "More Information" section below.

If the files are compatible with your Xbox 360 console but don’t play, connect your device to a different USB port on your Xbox 360 console.

Some devices don’t play when connected to the console. If none of the above steps resolve your issue, try another device.

More information

To listen to unprotected Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) files from an iPod music player or other device, follow these steps:

From Xbox Home, select apps, and then select Search Apps.

Select show me, and then select all media.

Search for Optional Media Update.

Select extras, and then select Optional Media Update.

Select download, and then select Confirm Download.

Try to play the content again.

You can now listen to unprotected AAC audio files by themselves or in playlists with MP3 and WMA audio files from the following devices:

An iPod

A portable audio player

The Xbox 360 Hard Drive

A USB flash memory device

Notes

You can connect a portable music player to your Xbox 360 console to listen to music as you play Xbox 360 games. However, your Xbox 360 console doesn’t support all music formats or all portable music players. You can’t play copyright-protected music from certain services, such as Apple iTunes. To play unprotected AAC music from an Apple iPod, use your Xbox Live Gold membership to download the Optional Media Update from Xbox Live. (See How to listen to music on your Xbox 360 console.)

You can only download and install the AAC codec once per gamer profile. For example, consider the following scenario:

You use your gamer profile to download and install the AAC codec on your Xbox console.

Then, you use your gamer profile to download and install the AAC codec on a friend's console.

In this scenario, the AAC codec may not work as expected on your friend's console. You may get the following error message:

Can’t download – Optional iPod Support

Status Code 8007005

The iPod can't stream video to your Xbox 360 console because of a proprietary video format. However, you can play some music files from an iPod.